Diego Aprigliano

My practice consists of a continuous exploration of the boundaries between nature and technology. I perceive in some discarded materials an underlying richness that I believe deserves to be rescued and reimagined.

I gather a variety of waste materials that become raw material for my work: Glass¹, which I transform into terrariums and paludariums where a diversity of native plants thrives, creating microcosms of natural life in urban and private environments. Wood, metals², and electronic waste³, which I use to build electro-mechanical contraptions, sometimes kinetic and sonorous.

These “games” give rise to tabletop installations that question our relationship with technology and the environment. Plastic⁴ characters and small organisms inhabit these dystopian territories. Simple metaphors emerge that invite deeper reflection.

Beyond transforming discarded objects into art, I seek to raise awareness about the impact of our actions on the environment. Each piece is a testament to the urgent need to reconsider our relationship with natural resources and to adopt more sustainable practices.

Finding beauty in what others consider trash and reflecting on the transformative power of human creativity, capable of generating meanings even using the most common elements of our environment.

Average time for these materials to degrade naturally:
1- Glass: 3000 years
2- Metals: 300 years
3- Electronic waste: 750 years
4- Plastics: 500 years

Manifesting my need to create visual and written art. I also manifest my decision to do so while causing the least harm possible to this damaged world in which we find ourselves inhabiting.

Therefore, I will use collected, reclaimed, or recycled elements. Because I don’t need new materials to express what I need.

Therefore, I forever give up the desire to publish a paper book (even though I would love to!). Because I don’t want a single more branch to be felled in my name.

Because my conscience wouldn’t let me live peacefully if I knew that the place where we live continues to be harmed because of my art, which is so unimportant.